Pharmacists Council Seals 210 patent medicine stores, 8 Pharmacies in C'River

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), has disclosed that, 218 patents medicines and illegal outlets were sealed for poor handling of controlled substances and various offences in Cross River State.

The council also disclosed that out of the 276 premises visited, comprising  19 phamacies in Calarbar and Akamkpa local government area of the state, seven arrest were made.

The Director, Inspector and Monitoring, Mrs. Anthonia Aruya made the disclosure yesterday in Calabar at the press conference organised by the council.

She said the essence of the exercise was geared towards streamlining the drug Distribution Guideline Value Chain to promote the provision of safe, effective and quality medicine distribution in the country.

She said the Council was in the state in continuation of its activities aimed at sanitizing the system for better pharmaceutical services delivery to the good people of the state and the nation at large.

She said, “At the end of the exercise, a total of two hundred and seventy six (276) premises were visited, comprising of nineteen pharmacies, two hundred and fifty seven patent medicine shops and illegal outlets.

“Seven arrests were made and a total of two hundred and eighteen (218) premises were sealed comprising of eight (8) pharmacies and two hundred and ten (210) patent medicine shops and illegal outlets.

“Two (2) premises were issued compliance directives for various offences ranging from poor handling of controlled substances, sale and dispensing of ethical/prescription drugs without supervision of a pharmacist, unhygienic environment, poor documentation among others, in the interest of public safety”, she said.

Aruya explained that registered premises are inspected in line with principles of good pharmacy practice (GPP) and are made to meet up with the minimum acceptable standards before they are licensed to practice.

The PCN DIN, added that, "any premises found selling above it's scope of operation such as sale and dispensing of ethical products without the presence of superintendent pharmacist or handling of controlled medicines by no pharmacist is operating in violation of the law."

She said the PCN would not relent in carrying out its responsibilities until the country is completely rid of illegal activities in the pharmaceutical sector of the country.

Aruya however called on the general public to asked for the registration status of facilities where they access their medicines by requesting for the current license issued to safeguard them from patronising quarks.